Empires on the Plains: The History of the Platte River Valley in the 18th Century

Long before Lewis and Clark arrived, the Platte River Valley was already a crossroads of cultures, exploration and competing empires. Indigenous peoples including the Pawnee, Otoe and Omaha encountered travelers and newcomers from across North America and Europe, including Spanish, French, Scottish and other explorers and traders.

In this program, we’ll explore the history of the region from the turn of the 18th century through the era of the Louisiana Purchase. This lecture-style program delves into its early written history, European exploration and the interactions between newcomers and Indigenous peoples whose homelands stretched across the Great Plains. Together, these stories offer a deeper look at Nebraska’s past and the many people and cultures who shaped the region long before the establishment of the United States.

This program is included free with regular daily admission for the public and is free for Stuhr Museum members.